Year-long disruptions at Grasberg, Kamoa-Kakula, and El Teniente drove copper prices higher. (Image: MINING.COM) Copper’s record-breaking 2025 has set up a tight but fragile market heading into 2026 as supply strains deepen, tariff fears distort trade flows and analysts flag long-term deficits.Prices are up 35% so far this year and heading for their largest gain since 2009. They surged past $11,800 a tonne this year, at one point sitting about 3% above any previous high as traders rushed metal into the US a ...

On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $7.69, or 17%, to close at $37.67 per share on September 24, 2025. Then, on September 25, 2025, before market hours, Bloomberg published an article stating that the "halt in production at the giant Grasberg copper mine in Indonesia looks set to strain the fractious relationship between [Freeport] and its host nation, at a time when the Jakarta government was already looking to take greater control." The article specified that "[the] state controls 51% of the local e ...

Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided in the content. Core Viewpoints of the Report - The core contradiction this week lies in the impact of the US non-farm payroll data and unemployment rate on the probability of interest rate cuts, the supply-demand relationship in the copper market, and the confirmation of the tight supply of copper mines in 2026. Looking ahead to next week, macroeconomic data will affect market sentiment and copper prices. The strategy is to follow the trend if there is a breakthrough; otherwise, buy at low levels within the range [2][3]. - Cathode copper is currently in the mid - stage of an uptrend with a neutral cycle, while LME copper is in the late stage of an uptrend at a high cycle level, and there is a risk of a pullback. The risk - return ratios for going long on SHFE copper and LME copper are low, so caution is advised [3]. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 1. Core Contradiction and Strategy Suggestion 1.1 Core Contradiction - **Macroeconomic Aspect**: The US non - farm payroll data and unemployment rate exceeded market expectations, slightly increasing the probability of interest rate cuts. The probability of a 25 - basis - point interest rate cut by the Fed in January 2026 is 26.6% (24.4% the previous week), and the probability of keeping interest rates unchanged is 73.4%. By March 2026, the probability of a cumulative 25 - basis - point cut is 46.8%, the probability of keeping interest rates unchanged is 41.8%, and the probability of a cumulative 50 - basis - point cut is 11.5%. Next week, the release of macroeconomic data such as the US initial jobless claims and core PCE price index will affect market sentiment [2][3]. - **Fundamental Aspect**: Near the end of the year, holders of copper have a stronger willingness to destock. In the context of increasing electrolytic copper production from November to December, the sellers' willingness to sell continues to rise, while downstream processing enterprises are still hesitant to buy at high prices, resulting in limited spot price increases. The LME copper cancelled warrants remain above 60,000 tons, supporting the rebound of the copper premium in China's bonded area. The export window is still open. The 2026 copper long - term TC/RC, announced over the weekend, is set at $0/ton and 0 cents/pound, confirming the tight supply of copper mines in that year [2]. 1.2 Trading - Type Strategy Suggestion - **Trend Judgment**: Cathode copper is in the mid - stage of an uptrend with a neutral cycle; LME copper is in the late stage of an uptrend at a high cycle level, and attention should be paid to the risk of a pullback. The risk - return ratio for going long on SHFE copper is 0.69% (low risk - return ratio), and for LME copper is 0.71% (low risk - return ratio), so caution is advised [3][14]. - **Price Range**: The price range for SHFE copper is [89,735, 95,178], with a price center of 92,457; for LME copper, it is [11,303, 12,145], with a price center of 11,724 [14]. - **Strategy Suggestion**: Follow the trend if there is a breakthrough; otherwise, buy at low levels within the range [3]. - **Basis, Calendar Spread, and Arbitrage Strategy**: The basis strategy is to expect it to strengthen. On December 19, the basis was - 565 yuan/ton, in the lowest 10% of historical quantiles, and the probability of an expansion in the next 1 - 2 weeks is 82.3%. The calendar spread strategy is neutral, with the main fluctuation range of the spread between the first - and third - month contracts being [- 90, 260], and the current spread is - 40. The cross - border spread is within the normal range, and it is recommended to wait and see. The current SHFE - LME ratio is 7.89, at the 43.3% historical quantile (lower than last week) [14][16]. 1.3 Enterprise Hedging Strategy Suggestion - **Inventory Management**: For enterprises with high finished - product inventory worried about price drops, when the expected price has strong resistance at 95,000 yuan/ton and the lower limit is 90,000 yuan/ton, they can short the SHFE copper main contract at the resistance level, build positions at high prices, and stop losses if the price breaks through. They can also sell call options or buy put options but should wait and see for now. - **Raw Material Management**: For enterprises with low raw - material inventory worried about price increases, when the expected price has strong support at 90,000 yuan/ton, they can buy the main contract futures near the support level. They can also buy up - and - out cumulative options in the range of 90,000 - 94,000 yuan/ton [20]. 1.4 Review of Trading and Hedging Strategies - The previous long futures hedging positions bought at low levels can continue to be held. Those who have not hedged may have missed the ideal hedging price. If they are in a hurry to purchase, they can consider the "sell put option + buy call option" combination to synthesize a long strategy [25]. 2. This Week's Important Information and Next Week's Key Event Interpretation 2.1 This Week's Important Information - **Positive Information**: On December 20, Chinese smelters and Antofagasta set the 2026 copper concentrate long - term processing fee Benchmark at $0/ton and 0 cents/pound. From January to October 2025, the global refined copper market had a surplus of 122,000 tons, less than the 261,000 - ton surplus in the same period last year. Global copper demand growth forecasts have been revised upward, with the 2025 growth rate expected to increase from 2.4% to 2.7%. China's demand expectation has been raised from 3.3% to 3.7%, and demand outside China has been raised from 1.0% to 1.2%. Institutions expect the 2026 market to remain slightly in surplus, with the surplus potentially expanding in 2027, and the market to return to a structural shortage by 2030 [28][29][30]. - **Negative Information**: In November 2025, the domestic copper rod output was 106,210 tons, a 7.87% increase from October, and the comprehensive capacity utilization rate was 54.08%, a 3.95% increase from the previous month. The Chinese copper industry monthly prosperity index in November was 39.7, a 2 - point decrease from the previous month, and continued to operate in the "normal" range. The LME plans to implement new position limit regulations from July next year. The probability of a 25 - basis - point interest rate cut by the Fed in January 2026 and cumulative cuts by March 2026 has been adjusted [30][31][32]. 2.2 Next Week's Key Event Interpretation Next week, many macroeconomic indicators will be released, including the UK GDP year - on - year, US PCE price index, initial jobless claims, etc., which will affect market sentiment on copper prices [34]. 3. Interpretation of Price, Volume, and Capital on the Disk 3.1 Domestic Market Interpretation This week, the trading volume and open interest of the SHFE copper weighted index decreased significantly, and the market speculation degree dropped below the mid - line. The price of the SHFE copper main contract fluctuated around 92,579 yuan/ton, with a weekly increase of 0.57% and an amplitude of 3.95%, and closed at 93,180 yuan/ton on Friday [35][36]. 3.2 Overseas Market Interpretation This week, the overseas copper futures performed better than the domestic market. The Comex copper price reached a one - month high on Friday night and then pulled back, while the LME copper price maintained an uptrend with a small amplitude. The LME copper price mainly fluctuated in the range of [11,536.5, 11,928] dollars/ton, increased by 1.58% week - on - week, and closed at 11,870.5 dollars/ton. The Comex copper price mainly fluctuated in the range of [531.75, 556.55] cents/pound, increased by 1.41% week - on - week, and closed at 548.35 cents/pound. The LME copper term structure has gradually changed from contango to backwardation, and the positive spread between months has widened negatively. The open interest of the Comex copper active contract remains at a high level in the same period [35][38]. 4. Analysis of Spot Price and Profit 4.1 Spot Price and Smelting Profit In the second half of this week, the electrolytic copper spot price strengthened, but the discount widened. The scrap copper market showed "higher prices but less volume", and the invoice situation in Guangdong and Jiangxi was tight, increasing the capital cost pressure on scrap copper enterprises. The purchasing and selling sentiment in the electrolytic copper spot market changed. The smelting income of refined copper increased week - on - week [42][43]. 4.2 Import Profit and Import Volume This week, the copper import profit and scrap copper import profit increased significantly year - on - year, and domestic enterprises' willingness to import copper is expected to increase. The Yangshan copper premium in the bonded area has been rising, which will continue to support smelters' copper exports. It is expected that the copper inventory in the bonded area will remain balanced. It is estimated that China will import 2.6 million physical tons of copper ore and concentrates in December 2025, with an annual import volume of 30.26 million physical tons, a year - on - year increase of 7.43% [45][46]. 4.3 Inventory Analysis This week, the "siphon effect" of the Comex copper inventory still exists. The domestic copper inventory increased year - on - year, and the LME copper inventory decreased year - on - year. The LME copper cancelled warrants remained above 60,000 tons but decreased compared to the previous week, while the LME copper registered inventory increased significantly. The total Comex copper inventory increased, and the registered inventory continued to rise, indicating that holders continued to sell on the disk [49]. 5. Supply - Demand Deduction and Price Expectation 5.1 Supply Deduction - **Global Perspective**: In 2025, the global copper concentrate production is expected to be 19.871 million metal tons, with an actual copper rough - smelting output of 20.154 million metal tons, and the global copper concentrate supply - demand balance is - 166,000 metal tons. In 2026, the global copper concentrate production is expected to be 20.441 million metal tons, with an actual copper rough - smelting output of 20.664 million metal tons, and the global copper concentrate supply - demand balance is - 331,000 metal tons [55]. - **Domestic Perspective**: In November, China's electrolytic copper production was 1.1031 million tons, a 1.05% month - on - month increase and a 9.75% year - on - year increase. The cumulative production from January to November was 12.2545 million tons, a 11.76% year - on - year increase. In December, it is expected that 4 smelters will be under maintenance, with an expected impact of 0.5 million tons. It is estimated that the electrolytic copper production in December will be 1.1688 million tons, a 5.96% month - on - month increase and a 6.69% year - on - year increase [56][57]. 5.2 Demand Expectation In November, the domestic copper product output was 1.7879 million tons, slightly lower than expected, and the comprehensive copper product operating rate was 61.6%, a 3.8% month - on - month increase. Except for the recycled copper rod industry, the operating rates of other industries increased. In December, it is expected that the operating rates of most industries will continue to increase slightly. The expected copper product output, copper rod output, copper strip output, copper tube output, and copper rod output are likely to increase month - on - month, and the apparent consumption of electrolytic copper will also increase month - on - month [59][60][61]. 5.3 Price Expectation This Friday, the market sentiment was high, and the copper price increased significantly, especially in the Comex copper market, where the price reached a one - month high. The copper price can either rise or fall at the current level. From the perspective of the 2026 long - term TC/RC announced over the weekend, the confidence of funds to buy at low levels will be re - stimulated, and the probability of the copper price breaking through again will increase. If the breakthrough is less than expected and the market returns to a volatile situation, it is still advisable to buy at low levels within the range [65].

Core Viewpoint - Rosen Law Firm is reminding investors who purchased Freeport-McMoRan Inc. securities between February 15, 2022, and September 24, 2025, about the upcoming lead plaintiff deadline for a securities class action lawsuit [1]. Group 1: Class Action Details - Investors who bought Freeport-McMoRan securities during the specified Class Period may be eligible for compensation without any out-of-pocket fees through a contingency fee arrangement [2]. - A class action lawsuit has already been filed, and those wishing to serve as lead plaintiff must file with the Court by January 12, 2026 [3]. - Investors can join the class action by visiting the provided link or contacting the law firm directly for more information [6]. Group 2: Law Firm Credentials - Rosen Law Firm emphasizes the importance of selecting qualified legal counsel with a proven track record in securities class actions, highlighting their own success in this area [4]. - The firm has achieved significant settlements, including the largest securities class action settlement against a Chinese company, and has consistently ranked highly in terms of settlements since 2013 [4]. - In 2019, the firm secured over $438 million for investors, showcasing their capability in recovering funds for clients [4]. Group 3: Case Allegations - The lawsuit alleges that Freeport-McMoRan made false and misleading statements regarding safety at the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia, which posed a heightened risk to workers [5]. - It is claimed that the lack of proper safety measures led to undisclosed risks of regulatory, litigation, and reputational damage, affecting the company's business statements [5]. - The lawsuit asserts that when the true details became public, investors suffered damages due to the misleading information provided by the defendants [5].

Core Insights - C3 Metals Inc has reported promising results from its first drill hole at the Khaleesi target in southern Peru, located approximately eight kilometers west of the Montaña de Cobre resource, which contains 52 million tonnes at 0.5% copper and 0.2g/t gold [1][3] Summary by Sections Drill Results - The initial drill hole intercepted 269 meters at 0.3% copper, with additional by-product credits of gold, molybdenum, and silver [1][5] - A magnetite skarn zone was encountered, which increased the copper grade by 37% to 0.41% over a 60-meter interval [2][5] Geological Context - The Khaleesi project is situated in a world-class copper-producing belt, with proximity to major mines such as MMG's Las Bambas and Hudbay's Constancia [4] - The geological model includes a skarn on the western side and a batholith with porphyry-style mineralization on the eastern side, with glacial till in between [6] Future Exploration Plans - The company plans to conduct a total of 6,000 meters of drilling, with adjustments made based on visual information and mineralization observed during drilling [7][8] - The identification of the magnetite skarn beneath the glacial till allows for the potential extension of mineralization closer to the surface, which could improve future mine planning [8] Economic Considerations - The company emphasizes the importance of understanding tonnage and grade economics from the outset, with ongoing assessments based on geological mapping and geophysical data [9][10] - The target remains large, and the company is optimistic about the results from the first hole, with additional drilling planned [10]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Global Copper - **Current Price**: Copper prices reached approximately US$11,900 per ton (US$5.40 per pound), marking a new all-time high [2][24] Core Insights and Arguments - **Substitution Concerns**: Despite rising copper prices, the potential for substitution with alternative materials is not expected to significantly disrupt market expectations for widening deficits and higher prices. Substitution risks are acknowledged but deemed insufficient to close the long-term market deficit projected for 2030 [2][24] - **Long-term Demand Forecast**: The analysis indicates that copper demand loss to substitution has averaged around 2% per annum over the last 20 years, with recent acceleration to over 400,000 tons per annum, which is still considered manageable within the context of overall demand growth [6][24] - **Market Deficit Projection**: J.P. Morgan Commodities Research forecasts a copper market deficit of approximately 2 million tons by 2030, despite potential increases in substitution and recycling efforts [24][25] Investment Recommendations - **Top Picks**: - **EMEA**: Antofagasta (Overweight rating), expected to achieve over 30% copper volume growth and return on capital employed (ROCE) exceeding 30% by 2028/29 [7][50] - **Americas**: Freeport-McMoRan and Grupo Mexico are also rated Overweight [7][50] - **Asia-Pacific**: Zijin and Capstone are rated Overweight [7][50] Additional Insights - **Technological Developments**: New leaching technologies could add approximately 590,000 tons per annum to global copper supply by 2030, but face uncertainties regarding timelines and capital intensity [42][46] - **Recycling Growth**: Scrap supply is expected to grow at 5-6% per annum to 2030, but the response to price-driven scrap supply may be muted due to prior market disruptions [31][42] - **Electric Vehicle (EV) Demand**: Total copper demand from electric vehicles is projected to more than double from approximately 1.4 million tons in 2023 to 3 million tons by 2030, driven by increasing battery sizes and vehicle energy density [31][42] Risks and Challenges - **Substitution Limitations**: Even if substitution accelerates to 6% of copper demand, it would only result in an additional demand destruction of approximately 1.3 million tons per annum by 2030, insufficient to offset the projected market deficit [24][25] - **Regulatory and Market Uncertainties**: Tax policy uncertainties in China regarding scrap supply and the overall economic environment could pose risks to the copper market [31][42] Conclusion - The overall sentiment remains bullish on copper investments, with a strong emphasis on the long-term demand outlook despite short-term substitution risks. The focus on technological advancements and recycling efforts is crucial for addressing future supply challenges [2][24][31]

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 19, 2025) - Kutcho Copper Corp. (TSXV: KC) (OTCQX: KCCFF) ("Kutcho Copper" or the "Company") announces that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") to raise total proceeds of up to $1,000,000. The Private Placement is for up to 5,882,353 units consisting of flow-through units ("FT Units") at a price of $0.17 per FT Unit of the Company for gross FT Unit proceeds of $1,000,000. Each FT Unit will consist of one flow-thr ...

Automation company ABB has upgraded electrification and automation infrastructure to support the safe and efficient expansion of one of Europe’s key tailings facilities at Boliden’s Aitik copper mine. Situated just south of Gällivare in northern Sweden, Atik is the largest open-pit copper mine in the country. The upgraded systems aim to improve water storage, recycling and monitoring capabilities, helping the mine scale up its operations in line with rising global copper demand. The International Energ ...

Core Viewpoint - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP is investigating potential claims against Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due to allegations of violations of federal securities laws related to safety issues at the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia, which resulted in significant investor losses [2][4]. Group 1: Legal Investigation and Class Action - The firm is reminding investors of the January 12, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action against Freeport [2]. - The complaint alleges that Freeport and its executives made false or misleading statements regarding safety measures at the Grasberg mine, which led to increased risks for workers [4]. - Investors who purchased Freeport securities between February 15, 2022, and September 24, 2025, are encouraged to discuss their legal rights with the firm [1]. Group 2: Incident and Stock Price Impact - On September 9, 2025, Freeport suspended mining activities at the Grasberg mine after an incident trapped seven workers, causing the stock price to drop by $2.77, or 5.9%, closing at $43.89 per share [5]. - Following an update on September 24, 2025, revealing two fatalities among the trapped workers, Freeport's stock price fell by $7.69, or 17%, closing at $37.67 per share [6]. - An article published on September 25, 2025, highlighted potential strains in Freeport's relationship with the Indonesian government due to the halt in production, leading to a further stock price decline of $2.33, or 6.2%, closing at $35.34 [7][8]. Group 3: Safety Concerns and Expert Opinions - An expert stated that the landslide incident at the Grasberg mine was preventable and should have been anticipated, raising concerns about Freeport's safety protocols [8]. - The investigation seeks information from whistleblowers, former employees, and shareholders regarding Freeport's conduct [9].

Key Takeaways Copper prices hit a record $5.96/lb in July and are up 35.8% this year on strong U.S. and China demand.Supply fears from mine disruptions and slow project timelines are fueling expectations for higher prices.SCCO, TECK and BHP are positioned to benefit as the energy transition trend drive long-term copper demand.Copper prices have lately demonstrated renewed momentum and are heading into 2026 with stronger price expectations, supported by tightening global supply, lingering uncertainty around ...